He was born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. on April 2nd 1939 in Washington D.C. His father was a Clergy man in a very conservative sect of Christianity and his believes are thought to have later fueled his anger towards his son that led him to murder Marvin after a heated argument. Raised in the church, Gaye began to sing in the choir at age three and began to use music as an escape from the realities of his life. After his discharge from the army, he joined a number of Doo wop groups that drew him toward participating in the fast growing possibilities of Motown.
He left for Chicago and became a drummer for several Motown groups like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Upon the start of his solo career, Gaye struggled to find his voice. After failed attempts, his fourth single “Stubborn Kind of fellow” became a minor hit in 1962. In 1963, Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” hit the top ten but his real desire was to be a singer of romantic ballads so his success while singing pop songs brought no long term trills. His want to sing what he loved created a battle between himself and his hit seeking record label.
In 1967 and 1968, Gaye’s careers rose to great heights with duets with Tami Terrell that brewed great hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”; in 1970, their success was cut short when Terrell died of a brain tumor. Marvin spent the majority 1970 in seclusion, “resurfacing early the next year with the self-produced What's Going On, a landmark effort heralding a dramatic shift in both content and style which forever altered the face of black music.” He used songs in his hit album What’s Going On to state his views on the war in Vietnam. In years to come, his embattled marriage to Anna Goudy, his later addiction to cocaine and his problems with the I.R.S brought untold heart ache to him and marred his image but in all, he never gave up. In 1982 his Album Midnight love created one of his greatest hits that most of us might know him for, his top three hit and Grammy winning, “Sexual Healing ”.
He was shot by his father Reverend Marvin Gay, Sr. on April 1, 1984. His album What’s Going On was inducted into rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and a collection of 12 years of his ballads was released in 1996. In 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked his as the 6th greatest singer of all time . Though he met a sad end, there is no doubt that his life was great. The 60’s saw its share of black talent but only few could make it and end up having a career that spanned close to 30 years like his. He is an example of a person transcending the limitations of their time and making great strides. He lives on as an inspiration to every child black or white that you can reach your dreams with a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
He left for Chicago and became a drummer for several Motown groups like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Upon the start of his solo career, Gaye struggled to find his voice. After failed attempts, his fourth single “Stubborn Kind of fellow” became a minor hit in 1962. In 1963, Gaye’s song “Pride and Joy” hit the top ten but his real desire was to be a singer of romantic ballads so his success while singing pop songs brought no long term trills. His want to sing what he loved created a battle between himself and his hit seeking record label.
In 1967 and 1968, Gaye’s careers rose to great heights with duets with Tami Terrell that brewed great hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”; in 1970, their success was cut short when Terrell died of a brain tumor. Marvin spent the majority 1970 in seclusion, “resurfacing early the next year with the self-produced What's Going On, a landmark effort heralding a dramatic shift in both content and style which forever altered the face of black music.” He used songs in his hit album What’s Going On to state his views on the war in Vietnam. In years to come, his embattled marriage to Anna Goudy, his later addiction to cocaine and his problems with the I.R.S brought untold heart ache to him and marred his image but in all, he never gave up. In 1982 his Album Midnight love created one of his greatest hits that most of us might know him for, his top three hit and Grammy winning, “Sexual Healing ”.
Resources
"Marvin Gaye" February 26, 2010 <http://www.marvingayepage.net/biography/">
"Marvin Gaye" February 26,2010 <http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/103>